73 VOYAGE TO MADAGASCAR* 



talents J employ flattery, meannefs, fervUl* 

 ty, falfehood, and perfidy, in order to elc^ 

 vate themfelves above their equals. 



It is, doubtlefs, morally impoffi ble that 

 fortune, birth, and exalted employments 

 fiiould not, among polilhed nations, give 

 great pre-eminence to thofe who enjoy thefe 

 advantages. It is difficult for the poor not to 

 be, in fome refpe^s^ very much dependant 

 on the wealthy : but if the laws fall with 

 fe verity on the one, and lightJy on the 

 other ; if vice dare fliew itfelf without ex- 

 citing contempt and indignation ; if it con- 

 duct to power and grandeur, with more 

 certainty than an union of the moft valuable 

 qualities, the fage is forced to feek obfcurity 

 in order to avoid oppreffion ; the people, dif- 

 gufted with virtue, becaufe it oppofes every 

 thing which they confider as happinefs, 

 hear no more the voice of confcience, which 

 is filenced by the imperious cry of intereft • 

 I they 



